How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

This is an interesting question that someone asked me recently...actually stopped me dead in my tracks because it was not something that I could answer quickly...and I wondered why I had to stop and think about what the answer would be...so here it is:

What legacy would you like to leave behind? When you are no longer on this earth or no longer at your current job; what do you want people to remember about you...what would you like to be remembered for?

Hmmm....

"There’s a little truth behind every ‘just kidding’, a little curiosity behind every ‘just wondering’, a little knowledge behind every ‘I don’t know’, and a little emotion behind every ‘I don’t care'.''

Chicago in the Winter?

Who in the heck goes to Chicago in the middle of the winter? I know..right...nuts! So I get in on Tuesday and early this morning the snow started....it hasn't stopped all day and now at 10:45PM it is still crazy snowing! Oh well...sometimes we just have to do what we have to do...

We are in the middle of a conversion with a company in Chicago and so my Business Manager and I braved the cold to do some on-site training for the new processers. Dealing with the cold and the snow has really not been a problem and our gracious hosts have been a joy to spend the week with.

One of the best things about these trips is meeting such energetic and brilliant people. Spending time in this forum allows us to see how other companies prepare for new business and how they interact and work together. I am always amazed at how their teams interlock and cruise together through these processes. You can always tell who will be successful in these ventures and who will fail miserably...in this instance this group has their act together and will definately be successful because their team communicates with each other and most importantly they have relationships of respect. They are not afraid to ask questions and listen to feedback - that is a team that wants to be successful because failure is not an option for them!

Happy New Year - Make 2010 Your Best Ever!

Today is the first day of 2010…did you stay up last night and ring in the New Year? I hate to admit it…but I was in bed…I know…sad right? I have never been much on ringing in the New Year…if I make it till midnight it is usually very low key and at home.

I love that people celebrate the New Year with hats, horns, music and fireworks…we love new beginnings, don’t we? It’s the chance for a ‘do over’…the chance to get rich this year…the opportunity to finally make it work… The New Year has always been a self inflicted dose of motivation for many, many people. It’s their chance of saying its okay to start over and I am going to do better this year!

I think we all agree that this New Year probably means more to us than most; Americans need a new year…we need a new start…its time to release all the negative that happened in 2009 and get everything back on track. I know many suffered great losses in 2009 and are still struggling and my prayers go out to them. I thank God everyday for my blessings and my life…my family who loves and supports me every single day…my friends who guide my direction, support my passions and love me without judgment and the people that I work with who care and make my work possible.

I hope you smile more this year…and laugh when you see something funny. Love more and be open to what comes your way. Don’t be afraid of being hurt or failing…if you love someone…tell them…if you need something…get it. 2010 is my year for being silly when I want to be and taking advantage of every single moment I have…what are you going to allow yourself this year?

So if you did make those New Years Resolutions for a new and improved year…stick with them this time…make 2010 a different year than any of the rest because I think that 2010 is going to be a special year for all of us!

New Year's Resolutions....I Don't Make Them!

I have never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions…my thought is why wait till the end of the year to make a change, improve your life or do something good? DO IT NOW!
If you create goals and you actually stick to them, then you know that your changes and decisions are always evolving on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. Decisions and changes are part of my everyday makeup…I make them all the time and so should you. If you wait till the end of the year to sit down and make resolutions you will be short changing yourself and your ability to accomplish bigger and better things quicker.

Now don’t get me wrong…there is nothing wrong with sitting down at the end of the year and reviewing goals for the past year and developing to tweaking 5 or 10 year goals but this process should always be ongoing. The only point I am trying to make here is…don’t wait till the end of the year to review, change, tweak or rework…when you know a change needs to be made do it then while its fresh in your mind.

If you are normally NOT a goal setter but create a big list of New Year’s Resolutions for the New Year…I can just about tell you that probably the biggest majority of them never see the light of day…why? Because if you are not prone to setting goals and using them as your blue print then you probably have a hard time making things happen.

Are you at a loss for how to set goals? Don’t fret…many people don’t know how or even know where to start. A friend of mine just recently turned me on to a new program called LifeBook. It’s a 4day program that will help you get started on creating your goal plans for all points in your life…from your career, financial and even your spiritual and health & fitness. They cover 12-categories that are essential in fulfilling all levels of your life.

Even though I am an avid goal setter this program looks really interesting to me…I may be checking this program out myself in 2010…how cool would it be to get away from life for 4-days and create the blue print for your life?

If you are interested…check out their website: http://www.mylifebook.com/

What Does Music Mean To You?

Music means everything in the world to me...it transports me to places, times, people, events, special moments but most importantly feelings. I can hear a song and instantly put a memory with it...sometimes good and sometimes sad. Each one is special because those events and times have made me who I am today.

There are special songs that stir feelings within my heart and soul that can instantly make me smile or bring tears to my eyes. There are times when my heart speeds up and I instantly can feel the pain and sadness or I can be in the best place ever when I hear specifc ones. They each have a personal meaning to me or tell a story that intertwines with my life and passions.

I enjoy spending time searching for songs that move me, take me back to a younger time or introduce me to someone new, something new....something exciting and alive. Music lets me say or express emotions that sometimes I might have trouble conveying. Have you ever heard a song that says everything you want to say to someone?

Music can literally move you to a different place and time...if you close your eyes...the music can make it all feel so real again. Then there is the music that has certain levels and octaves that can literally give me goose bumps and bring a certain energy; almost like a small level of electricity running through your body. What about the music that has a beat that literally begins to move your body...bringing out even more expression and freedom.

What does music mean to you?

Evaluating your Associations with Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn posted this great information in one of his newsletters this week...wanted to share it with you!

The power of influence in our lives and how it is possible to be nudged off course a little at a time until, finally, we find ourselves asking, “How did I get here?”
1) “Who am I around?”

You’ve got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.

2) “What are these associations doing to me?”

That’s a major question to ask. What have they got me doing, listening to, reading, thinking and feeling? You’ve got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.

3) “Is that okay?”

Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I’m suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.
We want to discuss three ways to handle associations or relationships that are holding you back.
1) Disassociate.

This is not an easy decision, nor something you should take lightly, but in some cases it may be essential (please don’t e-mail me asking me to advise you about this—only you can decide). You may just have to make the hard choice not to let certain negative influences affect you anymore. It could be a choice that preserves the quality of your life.
2) Limited association.

Spend major time with major influences and minor time with minor influences. It is easy to do just the opposite, but don’t fall into that trap. Take a look at your priorities and your values. We have so little time at our disposal. Wouldn’t it make sense to invest it wisely?
3) Expanding your associations.

This is the one I suggest you focus on the most. Find other successful people who you can spend more time with. Invite them to lunch (pick up the tab) and ask them how they have achieved so much or what makes them successful. Now, this is not just about financial success; it can be someone who you want to learn from about having a better marriage, being a better parent, having better health or a stronger spiritual life.

It is called association on purpose—getting around the right people by expanding your circle of influence. And when you do that, you will naturally limit the relationships that are holding you back. Give it a try and see for yourself.

Jim Rohn Newsletter
Issue 525 - December 1, 2009

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